the German, untying his belt.
It was found, however, on examination, that the lungs were all right,
the bull's horn having merely grazed the poor man's ribs. In a few
minutes his horse was caught, and he was able to remount, but the trio
were now far behind the tide of war, which had swept away by that time
to the horizon. They therefore determined to rest content with what
they had accomplished and return to camp.
"What a glorious chase!" exclaimed Victor as they rode slowly back; "I
almost wish that white men might have the redskin's heaven and hunt the
buffalo for ever."
"You'd soon grow tired of your heaven," said Ian, laughing. "I suspect
that the soul requires occupation of a higher kind than the pursuing and
slaying of wild animals."
"No doubt you are right, you learned philosopher; but you can't deny
that this has been a most enjoyable burst."
"I don't deny anything. I merely controvert your idea that it would be
pleasant to go on with this sort of thing for ever."
"Hah! de more so, ven your back is almost broke and your lunks are
gored."
"But your `lunks' are not `gored,'" said Victor. "Come, Winklemann, be
thankful that you are alive.--By the way, Ian, where are the animals you
killed?"
"We are just coming to one. Here it is. I threw my cap down to mark
it, and there is another one, a quarter of a mile behind it. We have
plenty of meat, you see, and shall be able to quit the camp to-morrow."
While the friends were thus jogging onwards, the hunt came to an end,
and the hunters, throwing off their coats and turning up their sleeves,
drew their scalping-knives, and began the work of skinning and cutting
up the animals. While thus engaged their guns and bridles lay handy
beside them, for at such times their Indian enemies are apt to pounce on
and scalp some of them, should they chance to be in the neighbourhood.
At the same time the carts advanced and began to load with meat and
marrow-bones. The utmost expedition was used, for all the meat that
they should be obliged to leave on the field when night closed in would
be lost to them and become the property of the wolves. We know not what
the loss amounted to on this occasion. But the gain was eminently
satisfactory, no fewer than 1375 tongues, (as tit-bits and trophies),
being brought into camp.
Is it to be wondered at that there were sounds of rejoicing that night
round the blazing camp-fires? Need we remark that the hissing of j
|